Tennis teams using fall to get ready for spring

The University of Richmond's men's and women's tennis teams are playing tournaments this fall to get ready for the spring tennis season in which the women will meet VCU for the first time.

The women's team is facing in VCU a team that is ranked in the top 50 in the country.

"VCU has a good training program, so we will have to raise our level of play," women's head coach Mark Wesselink said. Richmond will play its best game against them, he said.

Two of the top three women players graduated, so it will be a challenge to fill those spots, Wesselink said. This season, the team has a tougher schedule, more matches and faces slightly stronger teams, he said.

The men's team had its highest finish since 2006, men's head coach Ben Johnson said. This year, the team has four seniors, making it a more mature team, he said.

Team captain Justin Baker said he was very happy to make it to the A10 semifinals last year.

"With a small squad of eight players, staying healthy is tough because you need at least six players for a match," he said.

This eight-player team, which is made up of four seniors, is the most talented team in four years, he said.

The women's team, with four freshmen, is going to have to put in more playing time and fitness conditioning, Wesselink said.

The team will miss captain Alex Smyth in the fall, who is recovering from knee surgery and may play later in the season, Wesselink said.

"We want to win A10s again," Smyth said. "Last year's win was our fourth A10 victory in a row."

Fellow captain Mariana Arana said the team was a little different from last year because there are several players who could bring an international perspective.

"They have played around the world and are great to have on the team," Arana said. "We also have really great returning talent. I expect a lot from Melissa Kandinata."

Other teams have really improved in the past four years so we have to keep our eyes open and not take anything for granted, Arana said.

The team is preparing for its first tournament at the University of Pennsylvania in two weeks.

Contact reporter Jessica Racioppi at jessica.racioppi@richmond.edu